With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Doctors At Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Protest Deputy Shooting Of Patient
()
Doctors at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center are holding a rally today to protest the shooting of a mentally ill patient inside the facility by an L.A. County Sheriff’s deputy last week.
The Sheriff’s Department says a male Hispanic patient between 30 and 40 years old was smashing things with a metal medical device when he “turned his attention” on a deputy who was guarding a patient in another room.
The deputy opened fire, critically wounding the man.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva added later that it was like a scene out of the movie “The Shining.” The Frontline Wellness Network tweeted that the sheriff's comment was “an offensive attempt to demonize” a patient in a psychiatric crisis.
Support for LAist comes from
The deputy should have let hospital staff handle the situation, said Harbor-UCLA Dr. Lorenzo Gonzalez:
“We are very capable of handling agitated patients — patients with mental illnesses. These are things that we have specialized staff that are trained in order to de-escalate this.”
The Board of Supervisors asked the inspector general to investigate the incident and called for a review of security procedures at public hospitals.
This is not the first shooting at Harbor-UCLA. In 2015, an LAPD officer fatally shot Ruben Herrara, 26, after he allegedly reached for his gun. The city of L.A. later paid Herrara's family $3.9 million to settle a federal wrongful death lawsuit.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist